#relegation-battle

#relegation-battle

Starting with the hosts, eventually falling short last season as they missed out on the chance to book a top-half finish among Italy's elite, Torino are desperate to go one-step further this time around. Last seen putting in what was a sensational performance as they clinched a 1-0 victory at home against reigning Serie A champions Napoli, Marco Baroni's men will be dreaming of a repeat performance here.

Hand the keys back, pack the suitcase, take down the pictures, terminate the lease. Ange Postecoglou really should have never left temporary digs for a Nottingham apartment during the international break. Football moves fast, the Australian sacked after just 40 days and eight games in charge. One hundred and sixty-four days ago, Chelsea's previous visit to the City Ground on a sunny May afternoon, the complexion was different. At kick-off there was a contrasting kind of jeopardy in the air.

Starting with the hosts, while Cremonese might have only made their iconic Serie A return this season, the top-flight newcomers have enjoyed a remarkable start to proceedings. Rightfully receiving a string of plaudits from across Italy's elite this year, Davide Nicola's men find the mood in their camp at a famous high. In fact, the Lombardy-based outfit open this weekend's fixtures sat in bronze medal position and they will be confident of laying down another early marker here.

Starting with the hosts, while Boulogne might have made real history as they made their Ligue 2 return this season, it is no secret that Fabien Dagneaux's men are widely regarded as a leading relegation candidate this time around. Getting proceedings underway with a 1-0 defeat away at Nancy on August 15th, the Reds have drastically failed to deal with the leap up in opposition.

Slumping to consecutive 2-0 losses against St. Truiden and Anderlecht last month, Dender have lost all of their previous four straight Pro League appearances by an aggregate score of 8-1. Yet to record a single top-flight victory since opening up the new campaign, Saturday's hosts should also be concerned by their most recent showdown against the defending champions. Hit with a 4-1 drumming when they last met Les Unionistes back on March 1st, it should also be noted that Dender have failed to notch a single strike in Denderleeuw so far this season.

However, despite landing an eye-catching 3-1 victory outside of Hertfordshire on Saturday afternoon, the Scholars have once again drastically failed to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. Watching their FA Cup qualifying adventure come to an end earlier in the month as they eventually fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Hitchin, Max Mitchell's side have mustered just a single win from any of their first eight appearances across all competitions.

Corinthians will be desperate to use their Copa do Brasil performance as a platform to build on, looking to claim consecutive wins for the first time since May.

Cobh Ramblers are currently positioned second in the Irish First Division, just four points below the leaders, showcasing a strong home performance with five wins in six matches.

Cuiaba is aiming for a Serie A return but recently suffered two consecutive defeats. They are eager to leverage their home advantage against Botafogo.

Bowyer came into a club that had no belief at the time, and he has just turned it around and sprinkled that belief on everyone.

Jose Mourinho expressed that he isn't looking to fight relegation, as he considers it more difficult than contending for titles, emphasizing his career phase for happiness.

"The first red, you couldn't really argue; the second, there's no intent from Devlin, he's just trying to hook the ball away... it looked like they would get to penalties."